It was only a matter of time before Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) and Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) got together in EastEnders.
During January’s flash-forward episode, the pair gave one another knowing glances across Albert Square. At the time, we were unaware of who Mark actually was, though within a matter of weeks, he was introduced to viewers.
Lauren was going through a pretty turbulent time. She’d stolen £3,000 from a charity fundraiser organised by the community to benefit an organisation that helped children with sight loss. She believed that this cash could benefit her own visually impaired son Jimmy, and plunged it into an experimental treatment plan.
Little did she realise at the time, this was a sophisticated scam and the money was lost forever.
Realising she could do with the money, Mark then made a lucrative offer – they should team up, he could source stolen cars, and she could shift them through the car lot.
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale and Stephen Aaron-Sipple as Mark Fowler. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
The deal sounded promising, though she couldn’t help but feel that she was tempting fate, just days after a man violently attacked her and stole the car keys to a vintage vehicle. It seriously knocked her confidence, and she had no idea that Mark was the one who orchestrated the incident.
Despite her better judgement, after learning the truth, she continued with the operation. Sexual tension has simmered beneath the surface, first presenting itself when she referred to him as “babe” during Vicki Fowler’s (Alice Haig) wedding.
Last week, Mark wanted to test Lauren’s loyalty to him, and pulled her away from a family barbecue. He pretended that he was in serious danger while delivering a car, but when she got there, he was fine.
The atmosphere remained frosty between the two in today’s episode. Lauren was in disbelief that Mark would cause her so much stress, and he promised her that it was a one-off incident that wouldn’t happen again.
She was still wary of him, and swore that their relationship was purely platonic and that she didn’t want anything more than a business partnership.
In the heat of their argument, Mark forgot to put the fake number plates on a vehicle that he was selling. He rushed off, and the police soon caught up with him.
He managed to escape them, and at a lock-up, he called Lauren to ask for her help. She was concerned that it was another case of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’, though on arrival, realised that he was telling the truth for once.
It was only a matter of time before the pair succumbed to temptation. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Another tense conversation ensued, and quickly turned passionate. The pair kissed, but Lauren eventually backed away when she heard the sound of approaching sirens.
Mark dwelled on what he’d experienced and told Vicki that he had his eye on somebody. She encouraged him to seize the day, completely unaware that he was referring to Lauren.
After sending her a text – asking to meet at the gym if she wanted to pursue something further – he wondered whether she would actually show.
Soon after, she dragged him into the office and closed the blinds. The start of their fully-blown affair!
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Meanwhile, elsewhere in Walford, her uncle Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) got some bad news.
He’d been instructed to take compassionate leave to care for unwell partner Denise Fox (Diane Parish), and was told that his junior colleagues Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey) and Rita (Amy Matthews) would be taking over his work.
This marked the pair’s first appearances – albeit in a non-speaking capacity – before they reappear later in the week.
James-Bailey’s casting was announced earlier this month, his first major role after leaving the cast of Hollyoaks.
Matthew James-Bailey as DC Craig Ingram. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Speaking of the new arrival, executive producer Ben Wadey said: “We’re delighted to welcome Matthew to EastEnders, and he has been a fantastic addition to the cast.
“Craig’s presence in Walford forms part of a storyline involving the Brannings that will unfold this summer.”
James-Bailey added: “Joining EastEnders has been a dream come true. From it being the soundtrack to my childhood, always on in the background at home, to gathering around the TV with my family every Christmas, being able to play even a small part in such an iconic piece of British television is truly surreal.”
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